Great Rock Albums of 1980: Talking Heads- Remain in Light

The Talking Heads were yet another band who were branded punk because of their unique sound that didn't fit into any neat pigeon hole. Of course, of all the bands that I've said this about, they were probably the one band that might actually fit the title. While they weren't in the same mould as The Sex Pistols, they were born of the New York Punk scene at CBGB's in the mid 70s. So in that case, they can definitely be considered punk. I became convinced of this when I heard their debut album "77." This album was totally different and "Psycho Killer" is definitely in my top fifty favourite songs of all time. Even in the early 80s, that album was considered by many to be "way out there."

Roll on their 1980 album "Remain In Light." It's very difficult to for a band to match and album that you consider to be outstanding so I won't make comparisons to "77," especially as this album was a change in direction from their traditional punk sound to a more funky direction. I hear some reggae influence in the opening tracks, "Born Under the Punches" and "Crosseyed and Painless." They are good songs and what really makes them for me is the humourous approach that David Byrne takes to not just these two songs but for the entire album. It is definitely evident in the album's big single, "Once in a Lifetime." However, it is this sense of humour that makes me listen more to the lyrics and gets me thinking. Then there are some interesting musical effects, especially in the closer "The Overload" and "Houses In Motion" is very effective too. I get the impression that the band had a rather good time in making this album.

Track Listing:

1. Born Under the Punches

2. Crosseyed and Painless

3. The Great Curve

4. Once in a Lifetime

5. Houses in Motion

6. Seen and Not Seen

7. Listening Wind

8. The Overload

Talking Heads

David Byrne- guitar, lead vocals, keyboards, percussion

Jerry Harrison- guitar, keyboards, backing vocals

Tina Weymouth- bass, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals

Chris Frantz- drums, percussion, keyboards, backing vocals

"Remain in Light" would go on to be considered one of the best albums of 1980, if not the entire decade by many critics. I don't debate it. This album provided people with something different at a time when there was mainly hard rock and disco. Fortunately the latter was dying a death. "Remain in Light" highlights the abilities of four very talented musicians and even after all these years, I consider it to be way out there and I like that.

Next post: The Dead Kennedys- Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables

To buy Rock and Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London